Why Hasn't Naturalism Gained Momentum? - Atheist Nexus2018-05-24T20:26:42Zhttp://atheistnexus.org/forum/topics/why-hasn-t-naturalism-gained-momentum?groupUrl=naturalism&commentId=2182797%3AComment%3A2013838&groupId=2182797%3AGroup%3A136514&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSorry If I'm bringing a dead…tag:atheistnexus.org,2015-12-07:2182797:Comment:26592672015-12-07T21:34:50.170ZAnanthttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Anant
<p>Sorry If I'm bringing a dead thread back to life but since this interests me I would like to ask the following question:</p>
<p>What morality does a Naturalist follow? I understand that one must endeavor to make the world a better place using one's knowledge and skill to the fullest but specifically to a Naturalist, what motivation would there be to do such a thing?</p>
<p>A little intro about myself: I'm brand new here and have recently discovered the term Naturalism. It has drawn me to…</p>
<p>Sorry If I'm bringing a dead thread back to life but since this interests me I would like to ask the following question:</p>
<p>What morality does a Naturalist follow? I understand that one must endeavor to make the world a better place using one's knowledge and skill to the fullest but specifically to a Naturalist, what motivation would there be to do such a thing?</p>
<p>A little intro about myself: I'm brand new here and have recently discovered the term Naturalism. It has drawn me to itself since it is exactly the world view that I had created through my own learning, experiences and introspection, years ago, but I did not know which philosophy it fit into exactly. Now, I have a name to go on and so it has lead me here.</p>
<p>I agree completely with what the OP states, and personally I see morality as a direct consequence of nature, coming to existence on its own for the following reasons:</p>
<p>1. All sentient creatures feel pain and since it is not a positive or pleasant experience, we must not cause pain to each other and other sentient creatures.</p>
<p>2. All life forms and all of nature on earth is connected to and interdependent on each other for survival and there is a balance which allows maximal survival which we should not destroy.</p>
<p>3. All human beings live on this planet together and are connected and interdependent on each other. The only way to ensure the continued progress of humanity and a good environment for everyone to survive is to work together and not against each other. We must help each other, contribute, collaborate, share our knowledge and bring everyone to the same level, which is the best way to survive on this planet and live a useful life, while making the world a better place for all.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Thanks!</p> A lot of atheists are ex-reli…tag:atheistnexus.org,2014-02-23:2182797:Comment:23859142014-02-23T22:23:50.342ZLuarahttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Luara
<p>A lot of atheists are ex-religious, and calling them "atheists" rather than "naturalists" represents the ex-religious.</p>
<p>I like "naturalism" too. "Naturalist" has already been taken, as in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Curious-Naturalists-Niko-Tinbergen/dp/0870234560" target="_blank">Curious Naturalists</a> by Niko Tinbergen, who writes about the habits of spiders and the like. It means an acute observer of plants and animals in their natural environment. </p>
<p>But calling…</p>
<p>A lot of atheists are ex-religious, and calling them "atheists" rather than "naturalists" represents the ex-religious.</p>
<p>I like "naturalism" too. "Naturalist" has already been taken, as in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Curious-Naturalists-Niko-Tinbergen/dp/0870234560" target="_blank">Curious Naturalists</a> by Niko Tinbergen, who writes about the habits of spiders and the like. It means an acute observer of plants and animals in their natural environment. </p>
<p>But calling nonbelievers "naturalists" works as an extension of this meaning. </p>
<p>I like "nonbeliever". Meaning, someone who looks for good evidence before believing something.</p>
<p>Actually a lot of religious people don't believe in their religion - they just hope it's true, talk as if it's true in their social circle.</p>
<p>Around here, someone would get a lot of flak if they talked about what "God is doing in my life" or "my journey with Jesus" - even if they kept on explaining that "God" is a metaphor and the "Jesus" in their imagination may exist only in their imagination. This describes a lot of religious people, and technically they aren't religious believers - their "religiousness" is just a matter of their social conventions and their mental world. But they would have a hard time on A/N. </p> I think it's rather clear why…tag:atheistnexus.org,2014-02-23:2182797:Comment:23859892014-02-23T21:40:37.662ZRon Tijhaarhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/RonTijhaar
<p>I think it's rather clear why naturalism hasn't gained momentum as a worldview. That's because a worldview generally refers to a system of beliefs that encompasses morality, i.e. some code of conduct for the just life.</p>
<p>Since Hume there is this divide between is and ought. And even after Sam Harris' attempt to conflate the former and the latter, the distinction stands unscratched. This is not to say that science cannot inform morality, it does so in many ways.</p>
<p>Further, I think…</p>
<p>I think it's rather clear why naturalism hasn't gained momentum as a worldview. That's because a worldview generally refers to a system of beliefs that encompasses morality, i.e. some code of conduct for the just life.</p>
<p>Since Hume there is this divide between is and ought. And even after Sam Harris' attempt to conflate the former and the latter, the distinction stands unscratched. This is not to say that science cannot inform morality, it does so in many ways.</p>
<p>Further, I think it is correct to say that contracausal free will and naturalism don't go together, since this would require violation of the laws of nature. Other forms of free will might welll fit in though.</p> I'm wondering if personality…tag:atheistnexus.org,2013-07-16:2182797:Comment:22703692013-07-16T00:52:43.129ZNerdlasshttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Nerdlass
<p>I'm wondering if personality type might come into play. There's a certain hope for synchronicity that I've seen in pantheist circles... I think of deGrasse Tyson, who is more of a lecturer than debater... That might have something to do with it.</p>
<p>I'm wondering if personality type might come into play. There's a certain hope for synchronicity that I've seen in pantheist circles... I think of deGrasse Tyson, who is more of a lecturer than debater... That might have something to do with it.</p> It takes a large amount of in…tag:atheistnexus.org,2013-07-16:2182797:Comment:22702522013-07-16T00:44:29.922ZRichard Lawrencehttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/RichLawrence
<p>It takes a large amount of intellectual courage to arrive at the Naturalist position, at least the one espoused by Thomas Clark. Maybe some eloquent speakers well versed in the naturalist position need to follow Hitchens et al, and get out on the debating circuit. The exposure could only be a positive thing.</p>
<p>It takes a large amount of intellectual courage to arrive at the Naturalist position, at least the one espoused by Thomas Clark. Maybe some eloquent speakers well versed in the naturalist position need to follow Hitchens et al, and get out on the debating circuit. The exposure could only be a positive thing.</p> That's "ma'am" thank you.
And…tag:atheistnexus.org,2013-06-05:2182797:Comment:22459412013-06-05T23:29:58.971ZNerdlasshttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/Nerdlass
<p>That's "ma'am" thank you.</p>
<p>And yes, I'm reviving this thread a bit. I think we don't hear much from this side of things, because this isn't where the "fight" is.</p>
<p>That's "ma'am" thank you.</p>
<p>And yes, I'm reviving this thread a bit. I think we don't hear much from this side of things, because this isn't where the "fight" is.</p> I like the term naturalist -…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-07-26:2182797:Comment:20138382012-07-26T03:48:31.079ZAlicehttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/AliceCarr
<p>I like the term naturalist - I don't mind that some aren't so atheist as I am... I'm comfortable to clarify my position :)</p>
<p>I like the term naturalist - I don't mind that some aren't so atheist as I am... I'm comfortable to clarify my position :)</p> I think part of the problem m…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-07-24:2182797:Comment:20123412012-07-24T11:16:27.720ZRobin Vauhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/RobinVau
<p>I think part of the problem may be that many pagans use Naturalist as well. They use it as a term to go along with their beliefs,as many pagans will describe their beliefs as not supernatural, but as part of nature itself. So maybe it has more to do with personal interpretation of the word? And how it may apply to what they are? Just like the word agnostic. I've seen some theists use it as "Agnostic Theist" - I'm not sure what is there but I believe Something is there, kind of…</p>
<p>I think part of the problem may be that many pagans use Naturalist as well. They use it as a term to go along with their beliefs,as many pagans will describe their beliefs as not supernatural, but as part of nature itself. So maybe it has more to do with personal interpretation of the word? And how it may apply to what they are? Just like the word agnostic. I've seen some theists use it as "Agnostic Theist" - I'm not sure what is there but I believe Something is there, kind of definition.</p> I'm not sure where you are go…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-06-01:2182797:Comment:19694782012-06-01T00:10:43.386ZAlicehttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/AliceCarr
<p>I'm not sure where you are going with that. On a personal level I have a good life. I have moments when I get annoyed and irritated. I express that. I move on. My aim is to provide well-being for all and attend to everyone's needs equally. It seems to work on the whole, everyone who lives in the house - 5 of us - get their needs met and are generally happy. Often unhappiness is related to needs not met - such as need for food, sleep, love, affection, acceptance, autonomy, privacy or…</p>
<p>I'm not sure where you are going with that. On a personal level I have a good life. I have moments when I get annoyed and irritated. I express that. I move on. My aim is to provide well-being for all and attend to everyone's needs equally. It seems to work on the whole, everyone who lives in the house - 5 of us - get their needs met and are generally happy. Often unhappiness is related to needs not met - such as need for food, sleep, love, affection, acceptance, autonomy, privacy or greater control.<br/><br/>I think we need to do what works for us and not get caught by thinking that we can have a vision or a dream and make that ideal the reality.</p> I suppose it depends on how y…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-05-31:2182797:Comment:19688502012-05-31T01:04:15.013ZAlicehttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/AliceCarr
<p>I suppose it depends on how you define harmony :)</p>
<p>I suppose it depends on how you define harmony :)</p>